Rejuvenation

Chapter 1

The sanctuary was in full bloom as a young woman walked among the plants and dragons. The light of the moon shined down on her black hair making it look like rippling water as she walked. Her moss green eyes scanned her surroundings looking for the place they agreed to meet. Her dragon Blaire was somewhere above her flying quietly in case he was needed. She smiled slightly as she took in her surroundings, she worked so hard to make sure everything was perfect, that no one was in need. The dragons slept peacefully when she was around and the plants gave off complacent energy. She walked into the clearing and smiled brightly when she saw him, her face lighting up.

"Hello Falos, to what do I owe the pleasure?" It was not that long ago that the best friends almost created a war over which parts they would rule. Falos promised to come up with a solution and it had taken many days but he finally arranged a meeting.

"Hello Lilith, I have found a solution to our problem. We will have another to rule the sky," he said a smile gracing his face. His dark blue eyes twinkled with mischief as the moonlight glowed on his chocolate skin.

"Another? What do you have in mind?" The woman asked carefully, open-minded but slightly unconvinced.

"We will throw a ball, everyone is invited. We will choose five opponents each who will go through trials to become ruler of the sky," Falos spoke smirking at her. Lilith raised her hand

and the tree branches came down creating two chairs. "Please sit. What would these trials consist of?" Falos sat and continued explaining "We still have one dragon egg left for the person who wins the trials, the person must be worthy. We will test them on strength, mental and physical, on will, passion, everything it takes to be a great ruler. The chosen one will be gifted their own dragon egg such as the ones we have, and if it hatches they will be the ruler of the sky."

The woman pondered this for a second before a sly smirk crossed her face. "You had me at Ball, when do you propose we have it?"

"Soon, let's say thirty days from now," he said, "that gives you enough time to prepare your dress and take care of the invitations, the ball will be at your castle."

"Of course, see you then." "Blaire" she called her voice sweet but strong. Her dragon swooped down in front of her. She quickly climbed up and watched as Falos called to his dragon. "Micah" he spoke voice deep but comforting. His dragon dropped out of the sky dripping water onto the earth, water dragons had wings but only used them in emergencies. They commonly played in the water and mirrored their owner's personality. With one last fleeting glance, Lilith took off into the night sky, back to her palace to prepare for the ball.

The sun rose slowly over the tree tops casting golden light down upon the city. The sound of horseshoes on cobblestone filled her ears as people began going to work and commuting among the village. Lilith let out a yawn as she prepared for today's work, she was no ordinary ruler. She also lived among the people and worked as the sole judge when someone commits a crime, and also the owner of the biggest apothecary in the city. People came to her for remedies and advice as well as justice. Often at night, she wandered the streets handing out money to the poor and making sure that everyone had the means to survive. She was the second most feared ruler under Falos but she was the favorite ruler among the people. Falos often helped with cases when she could not be swayed to one side. He was known for being reserved but not one to be taken lightly, at the very least a genius.

Lilith dressed in the traditional garbs and head scarf and calmly made her way down to the village. She wanted to take in her surroundings that seemed to glow, almost like a hazy dream that she never wanted to wake from. Today she had three potions to make and then a case that had been filed. Then she would make the invitations and prepare her palace. Goosebumps covered her arms as a breeze blew by, dragons were flying through the air

everywhere landing on the top of shops and playing in the ponds. Her heels clicked on the cobblestone as she made her way down the street avoiding horses and parked carriages.

Opening the door to the apothecary she was immediately hit with the scent of aloe and cinnamon. Her list consisted of The draught of peace, The pepper up potion, and Wolfsbane. Time ticked by as she made the potions, being very meticulous and making sure she looked over the steps a few times. When she finished the sun was three-quarters of the way across the sky, it was the afternoon already. She quickly poured the potions into glass bottles and left small notes on them for when they were delivered. As well as the draught of peace, Lilith cut a bud off of a flowering plant attaching that as well in case they needed peace for more than two nights, she knew how the nightmares were. Her long black hair flew behind her as she rushed to deliver the parcels, her scarf falling off. She left them on the doorsteps with a knock and quickly walked off, her clients paid in advance or bartered for them. Her face became a mask of nothing as she walked into the courtroom, a dark aura pulsating around her.

It was two days before the ball as Lilith finished the preparations. Everyone in the village and surrounding villages had invitations to come if they wished. Lilith glared at Blaire as the dragon pranced around happily stepping on her rose bushes. She couldn't help but smile at him, his personality resembled that of a needy dog but she loved him all the same. Most dragons ate meat, as hers did, but his favorite snack strangely enough was apples. She walked through the immaculate garden towards the tree groves, headed for the apple tree. As she made her way to the tree the dragon looked up, tail wagging once it realized that it was for him. "Come here" Lilith said teasingly waving the apple in the air. The dragon was in front of her in mere seconds head lowered to reach her face. "Here you go" she said giggling slightly as she gave it to him, petting his bronze and emerald scales. She waved her hand quickly fixing the rose bushes and sending a silent apology to the plants, hoping that he wouldn't trample anymore plants before the ball. Lilith made her way to the roof of the palace where her dragon slept as a sun slipped below the horizon. The light pink and purples washed over Blaires face as he slipped off into a deep sleep, a small pout in his face. Lilith gave him one more pat as the sun slipped fully beneath the world, all she could think about was what was to come.